By Lauren Yee Directed by Seth Bockley Produced by Victory Gardens Theater New Play Badly Needs Rebirth Playwrights often run into trouble when they attempt to take on big themes without much experience. Samsara, now having its world premiere after two years of development at Victory Gardens, is one example of a play that’s meant … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Conceived and originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine Inspired by a concept by David Kernan Directed by Nick Bowling Music Direction by Austin Cook Choreography by Emily Ariel Rodgers Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre At Stage 773, Chicago Wonderful documentary of Stephen Sondheim with his words and his … Read more
Broadway’s Musical Comedy Book by Austin Winsberg Music & Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner Directed by J.R. Rose Music Direction by Elizabeth Doran Choreography by Becky DeDecker Produced by First Date. LLC At the Royal George Cabaret, Chicago Cliches rule in formulaic date show First Date is a chamber musical that ran off-Broadway … Read more
Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis Stage Director: Tim Albery Choreographer: Jasmin Vardimon At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Energetically sensual movement and dance introduces audiences to the world of Wagner’s morality drama/opera In one of the longest (at least 15 minutes) sensual dance sequences seen in any opera, choreographer Jasmin … Read more
By John Logan Directed by Steve Scott Produced by Redtwist Theatre Two Actors Wrestle for Future of Art What’s interesting about artists arguing over aesthetics in the mid-twentieth century? Only the fates of these two individuals and which of their values will become dominant in their culture. John Logan’s Red, which premiered in 2009, depicts … Read more
By Jean-Luc Lagarce Directed by Zeljko Djukic Produced by TUTA Theatre Chicago Skillful Performance about Small Town French Vaudeville Blues Since moving to Chicago, I’ve seen enough good theatre to develop feelings of local pride, despite not having been here for that long. Therefore, I am happy that TUTA is putting on the American debut … Read more
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa Directed by L. Walter Stearns Produced by Mercury Theater Jaunty Addams Family Fun The Addams Family, The Musical, had a rocky start in Chicago back in 2009, before I started reviewing. It transferred to Broadway after a significant rewrite, where it was … Read more
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the play by Jean Poiret Directed by Joe Leonardo Choreographed by Melissa Zaremba Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson At Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire Stunningly visual and romantically heartfelt with loads of laughs make La Cage Aux Folles a hit Jerry Herman is one … Read more
By Horton Foote Directed by Cody Estle Produced by Raven Theatre Dark Comedy in Changing South Among the vast number of American plays that riff on Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and depict arguments over a house, Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate is a bit of a rediscovered gem. Though it premiered in 1989, a short … Read more
By Brett Neveu Directed by Brant Russell Produced by Signal Ensemble Theatre Illustrated Example of Friendships Withering Under Pressure As people get older, their changing bodies and responsibilities necessitate different interests, lifestyles, and sources of pride. Those who can’t adjust are in for a hard time, particularly as financial stress becomes less tolerable. Signal’s United … Read more